‘Trains and people don’t mix’: Alarm at rise in level crossing incidents

Tasmanian drivers are putting their lives at risk with dangerous behaviour around rail lines, with reports some even used the rail lines to avoid flooded roads. See the dashcam footage >

TASMANIANS continue to take unnecessary risks around rail lines — including driving along tracks to avoid floodwaters, a parliamentary committee has heard.

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said there had been a five per cent increase in incidents on the TasRail network, from 42 to 44 in the 2021/22 financial year.

The built-up areas of the northwest coast, in particular Devonport, Ulverstone and Burnie continue to be hot spots for offending, with 70 per cent of all incidents.

Minister for Infrastructure and transport, Michael Ferguson said there had been a five per cent increase in incidents on the TasRail network. Picture: Linda Higginson

There was one level crossing collision during the year: when a truck hit the side of a train on the Fingal line.

TasRail CEO Stephen Deitrich, CEO said some of the reported behaviour was astoundingly risky.

“Trains and people don’t mix,” he said. “Track safety awareness is an ongoing campaign.”

“Through the recent floods, we had to put security personnel on some areas of the network because people were using it instead of roads … driving up onto the track to avoid detours and save a minute.”

He said numerous fines had been issued to offenders thanks to video evidence from cameras in locomotives and testimony from drivers.

Livestock straying onto rail lines and being hit by trains was also a problem that caused trauma for drivers, he said.

“We have 1,500km of neighbours. That’s a lot of people we need to deal with. We try to encourage all of our neighbours to keep their fences in good order.”

Mr Ferguson said reinforcing the rail safety message was a government priority.

TasRail train passes through a rail crossing at Penguin. Picture: Chris Kidd

“I was pleased to inform the TasRail Government Business Enterprise hearing that TasRail continues its program of engagement with the Tasmanian community to highlight the importance of safety and awareness around the rail network,” he said,

The state-owned rail company had five lost-time injuries during 2021/22, including a sledgehammer injury and an office worker who cut their hand when a coffee plunger shattered.

TasRail has also had nine reports of locomotive drivers suffering from ergonomic issues in recent years, the committee heard.

An ergonomist has assessed all 17 TR-class locomotives, resulting in changes to the configuration of the throttle handle and retraining for some drivers.